Apparatus for assembling resilient joints



May 2, 1944.

o. E. HERMANNS APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RESILIENT JOINTS Filed May 3l, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 2, 1944 o. E. HERMANNS 2,347,780

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RESILIENT JOINTS Filed May 5l, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o/o o/o o o T' TETE-HDL..

f5 5 /ia .E'zHEFmanns Patented May 2, 1944 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RESILIENT J OINTS Otto E. Hermanns, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 31, I1943, Serial No. 489,203

4 Claims.

This 4invention relates to the assembling of resilient, -joints, such for example as those of the track units of an endless track for self-laying track type vehicles, and is especially useful in the assembling in their housings of connecting pins or shafts having resilient torsion bushings secured thereto.

In Vthe assembling of cross pins and tors-ion bushings with track blocks -or units it is desirable to locate the cross pins rotatively in respect to the -track units so as to provide uniform torsional deflect-ion of the bushings in use, and is desirable also to locate the cross `pins with respect to the track units so that the pins extend determinate amounts from the sides of the track units or blocks rat opposite sides thereof.

The objects ofthe present invention are to provide means'for forcing the cross pins with the torsion bushings thereon into the housings of the track blocks or units or lother structure; to provide means for properly locating the cross pins with relation to each other and to the housing; -to facilitate the rapid yassembly of the cross pins and 'bushings Awith the housing; and to assemble simultaneously a plurality of cross pins and associated torsion bushings with a single track block.

These and other objects will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

vOf the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus embodying one form of the invention, parts being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof as viewed from the right side of Fig. l, parts being broken away fil the ends of a pair of cross pins engaged thereby,

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. `5 is a detailed cross 4sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a track block having cross pins and torsion bushings assembled therewith and indicating in broken lines at one end of the cross pins the position of the cross pins after the rst pressing movement, the block being partially broken away and in section,

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the operating cylinders, their valves and limit switches, and

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the solenoid operated valves. y

Referring to the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and first referring to Fig. G, a track block I0 is provided with a pair of parallel cylindrical cross passages II, I2 through which extend the cross pins I3, I4, the pins being longer than the width of the block so that their ends extend at each side thereof. Surrounding the pins within the cross passages and mounted under compression are torsionally resilient structures which may comprise a series of resilient torsion bushings I5, I6 which resist rotation of the pins with respect to the block. For this purpose the bushings which are of resilient vulcanized rubber or other rubber-like material, are formed about the pins and secured thereto as by a bond of vulcanization. The bushings are spaced longitudinally from each other as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 where the cross 4pins are shown before being assembled with the track block. This spacing permits distortion of the bushings longitudinally underradial compression. Each cross pin is provided with a flattened portion il, I8, I9, 2e, near its opposite projecting ends and the flats on the pins are so oriented as to be at an acute angle to the flats of an adjacent pin so as to engage a wedge member of a connecting link in the assembly of the track, the angle usually being at about l() degrees to the perpendicular to the base of the track.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the apparatus for assembling the cross pins with the track block is mounted on a frame surmounted by a bed plate 3|. Fixed to the bed plate is a column 32 which supports a vertical double-acting fluid pressure operated cylinder 33 having a piston 34 fixed to a piston rod 35, and a cross head 36 is adjustably secured to the lower end of the piston rod which is threaded as at 3'I for 'adjusting its movement. The cross head is slideably mounted in vertical ways 3B xed to Vthe column 32. As seen in Fig. 2 the cross head 35 is formed with a pair of cylindrical vertically disposed sockets 4B, 4I in which' are slideably 'mounted a pair of chucks 42, A3 for holding and aligning the cross pins I3, It. Each chuck is guided in its vertical movements by a cross pin 44, respectively which cross pins are guided by slotted openings 45 in a cross head. Compression coil springs, such as 5B, are mounted in the cross head between the cross head and the chucks, to normally force the chucks into the lowered position shown in the drawing. Each chuck has a cylindrical socket 5l for receiving the end of a cross pin and is slotted axially from one side of the chuck to a position near its center to receive a locating jaw 52 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 53 Within the slot. A compression coil spring 54 between the locating jaw and the chuck forces the lower end of the chuck jaw toward the cross pin and in contact with the flat I9, the jaw being formed with a clearance notch to clear the rounded portion of the pin beyond the attened portion at the end thereof. An adjustable cam pin 60 extends through an aperture in the cross head 36 and engages a cam 63 which bears against a face of the jaw so that when the chuck is forced upwardly into the cross head the cam pin 60 forces the rocking locating jaw toward the ilat on the cross pin, orienting the cross pin to the proper position. The two chucks are so arranged with respect to each other as to orient the pair of cross pins to the proper angular relation to each other. For locating the track block, a box-like jig 6| is fixed to the bed plate 3| below a cylinder 33. The back and vertical sides of the jig are stationary and are threaded to receive locating screws 62 which bear against the track block. A cross bar 63 is hinged, as at 64, to one of the vertical sides of the jig and is retained in place by a latch E5 (see Fig. 4l held in position by an extension coil spring 65. A pressure pad |51 is mounted on the cross bar and is forced by a compression coil spring 68 in a direction to engage the track block and hold it against the locating screws when the cross bar 63 is in its latched position.

For guiding the cross pins with relation to the track block and for radially compressing the resilient torsion bushings, a plate 1E) is mounted above the vertical sides of the jig, and is held vthereabove by compression coil springs 1|, 12

(see Fig. 5). The plate 1G has dowel pins 13 which engage dowel holes in the vertical sides of the jig to conne movement to a vertical direction. The plate 1B is formed with a pair of funnel-like apertures 14, 15, the lower ends of which are of the same size and shape as the cross passages I2 of the track block and the upper ends of which are as large in diameter as the uncompressed torsion bushings. The arrangement is such that when the cross pins are forced downwardly by the piston 34 the lowermost torsion bushings engage the funnel-like openings and force the chucks d2, 43 to an upper locating position and upon further downward movement of the piston the torsion bushings are radially compressed and guided into the track block.

For supporting the lower ends of the track block during the pressing movement, a movable anvil block 3Q is slideably mounted for horizontal movement over the upper face of the bed plate 3|, suitable guides 82 being provided on the bed plate for guiding it. The anvil block is controlled by a double acting fluid pressure operated cylinder 83 xed to the bed plate: and having a piston 84 fixed to a piston rod 85 which in turn is secured to the anvil. The arrangement is such that at the forward position the anvil is beneath the track block and when the anvil is withdrawn rearwardly in Fig. 1 or to the right in Fig. 2, the track block may drop to a lower position. For clearing the lower ends of the cross pins the anvil is formed with Vertical slots 86, 81 open at the front of the machine as seen in Fig. l and of such size as to clear the cross pins.

It is desirable to press the torsion bushings and the cross pins in one direction to a point further than the nal position, and then to press the cross pins in the opposite direction a slight distance to overcome undue longitudinal distortion of the torsion bushings in one direction. For this purpose a double acting liquid pressure operated cylinder 9B is iixed to the bed plate on its lower face and has a movable piston 9| xed to a vertical piston rod 92 which in turn is xed to a vertically movable cross head 93. A pair of plungers 94, 95 are adjustably secured to the cross head and are arranged to extend vertically with their axes spaced apart and in alignment with the cross pins. For adjusting them vertically these pins have threaded engagement, as at 96, with the cross head 93. Guiding apertures for the plungers 34, 95 are provided through the bed plate 3|, and the arrangement is such that in their lowered position the plungers are withdrawn below the upper face of the bed plate 3| where they clear the anvil 33 in its movements and in their raised position they engage the lower ends of the cross pins and force them upwardly to the desired nal position. For resisting upward movement of the track block the sides of the jig are formed with outwardly turned flanges ISG, Il and the plate 1e is provided with end pieces |62, |33, having inwardly turned flanges engaging therebelow, the arrangement being such that limited vertical movement of the plate 1B under the influence of the coil springs 1|, 12 and of the pistons 34 and 3| is permitted. The object of this is to relieve pressure on the anvil 8i] when the piston 3| moves upwardly and at the same time to provide a positive abutment to resist upward movement of the piston 9|.

For conveniently operating the apparatus the cylinder 33' is provided with pipes i IB, at its upper and lower ends respectively which are controlled by a four-way valve H2 which when turned in one direction connects the pipe |10 to a fluid pressure sup-ply line i |3 and connects the pipe to the atmosphere, and when turned in the opposite direction connects the pipe to the supply line i3 and connects the pipe Il to exhaust to the atmosphere. Similarly the cylinder 9|) is connected at its upper end by a pipe ||4 and at its lower end by a pipe H5 controlled by a four-way valve i6, which in one position connects the pipe l 4 to the luid pressure line |3 and the pipe |15 to exhaust, and in the other position connects the pipe ||5 to theuid pressure line H3 and connects the pipe ||4 to exhaust. Similarly cylinder 83 is connected by a pipe ||1 at its forward end and by a pipe H3 at its rearward end to a four-way valve HS which in one position connects the pipe ||1 to the-fluid pressure line ||3 and the pipe H3 to exhaust and in the other position connects the pipe I8 to the fluid pressure line l|3 and the pipe ||1 to exhaust. Each of these valves i l2, H5 and I9 is preferably of the solenoid operated foinway poppet valve type of which the valve ||2 is illustrated in Fig. 8. While these valves may be operated individually from push button circuits by an operator, it is preferred to so conneet-these solenoids to limit switches located on the apparatus as to cause the various cylinders to operate in the desired order and complete the operations automatically. For this purpose the cross head 36 is provided with an adjustable stop |20 adapted at the lowermost position ofV the cross head to engage a limit switch l2! mounted on the column 32. The cross head 33 is started in its downward movement by a foot operated switch (not shown) which momentarily energizes solenoid |23 to shift valve H2 to a position where fluid pressure is admitted through pipe ||0. The limit switch 2| in closing energizes one of the solenoids |22 of the valve ||2, thereby causing the piston 34 to be raised to its upper position by the iiuid pressure admitted through pipe At the same time the closing of the switch |2| energizes one of the solenoids |24 of the valve IIB and de-energizes the solenoid |25 thereby causing the piston 9| to raise so that the `plungers 94, 95 engage the lower ends of the cross-rods and raise them to their final position with respect to the track blocks. The cross head 93' is provided with an adjustable stop |30 which at its uppermost position closes the limit switch 3| which energizes one of the solenoids |32 of valve ||9 and de-energizes the solenoid |33 thereof thereby causing the anvil 80 to be retracted. When the anvil 80 is completely retracted, a stop |50 on the anvil engages a limit switch |5| which causes the solenoid |25 of the valve I6 to be energized and the solenoid |25 thereof to be de-energized causing the cross head 93 to return to its lowermost position. The cross head 93 is also provided with a second adjustable stop |40 which in its lowermost position is adapted to engage a limit switch |4| mounted on the cylinder 90, the closing of the limit switch |4| energizes the solenoid |33 of the valve ||9 and deenergizes the solenoid |32 thereby causing the anvil 8D to be returned to its forward position.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: With the piston 9| in its lower position, the piston 34 in its raised position and the piston 84 and consequently the anvil 80 in its forward position, as shown in Fig. 2, the operator places the track block I0 within the jig upon the anvil 80, the cross bar 63 being swung open to admit the track block. The operator then swings the cross `bar 53 to its latched position thereby locating the track block in proper position. He then grasps the cross pins I3, |4 with the resilient torsion bushings mounted thereon, and inserts the upper ends of the cross pins in the chucks 42, 43 with their lower ends over the funnelshaped guide openings in the plate 10. The operator then depresses the foot-operated limit switch, not shown, which energizes solenoid |22 and de-energizes solenoid |23 causing the cross head 36 to be lowered. The cross .pins with the torsion bushings thereon are forced against the plate lowering it into contact with the track block and into the track block to a position where they'are advanced slightly beyond their normal position, whereupon by contact of the stop |20 with the limit switch |2| the valve ||2 is reversed to raise the cross head 36, while simultaneously the solenoid |24 of the valve ||6 is energized to raise the cross head 93. 'I'he plungers 94, 95 thereupon engage the lower ends of the cross rods and position them upwardly in the reverse direction to their normal position with relation to the track block, whereupon by contact of the stop |30 with the limit switch |3| the anvil 80 is retracted. At its retracted position the stop |50 on the anvil 80 contacts with the limit switch |5| on the cylinder 83 causing the piston 9| to be lowered, which permits the assembled track block and cross pins to be lowered in the path of the anvil 80. Upon the return of the cross arm 93 to its lowermost position the stop |40 engages the limit switch |4| which causes the valve ||9 to be reversed and the anvil 89 is forced forward engaging the track block and forcing it forward out of the jig, the cross bar 63, being frictionally latched, springs open under this movement, and the operator catches the track block and removes it from the apparatus.

The apparatus has the advantage that the torsion bushings are released from excessive longitudinal distortion in one direction and the ats on the cross bars are properly oriented with respect to each other in a single operation.

Variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for assembling a pin and resilient bushing in a housing, said apparatus comprising means for supporting a housing, means for supporting the cross pin and bushing in determinately oriented position, means for forcing the cross pin and bushing into the housing in one direction to a position beyond the normal position, and means for forcing the cross pin in the opposite direction to its normal position.

2. .Apparatus for assembling cross pins and torsion bushings with track units, said apparatus comprising means for supporting a track unit, means for supporting the cross pins and bushings in determinately oriented position, means for simultaneously forcing the cross pins and bushings through the track unit in one direction to a position beyond the normal position, and means for forcing the cross pins in the opposite direction to their normal position.

3. Apparatus for assembling cross pins and torsion bushings with track units, said apparatus comprising means for supporting a track unit, means for supporting the cross pins and bushings in determinately oriented position, means for forcing the cross pins and bushings through the unit, means for withdrawing the supporting means from beneath the assembled track block, and means for returning the said supporting means to force the assembled track block from the apparatus.

4. Apparatus for assembling a pin member and a housing member with an interposed resilient bushing, said apparatus comprising means for telescopically forcing said members with the resilient bushing interposed therebetween by movement of one member relative to the other in one axial direction to a position beyond its normal assembled position with relation to the other and with said bushing axially loaded in said direction, and means for telescopically forcing said members and adjusting the axial loading by movement of one member relative to the other in the reverse axial direction to its normal assembled position with relation to the other.

OTTO E. HERMANNS. 

